Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore - Working in The National Lakeshore

Working in The National Lakeshore

Working in the Dunes

• Firefighters
  • Prescribed fire is used to restore historic landscapes, restore ecosystems, eradicate invasive species, and enhance biodiversity. Trained firefighters, biological technicians, fire managers, and engine bosses are needed to insure public safety and to achieve the desired goals.
• National Park Ranger
  • Park Rangers with specialized skills in police work provide for public safety and protect the cultural and natural resources of the national lakeshore.
  • Park Rangers trained in communications and teaching are the key individuals working with the public. The provide walks, talks, campfire programs, and are the public face of the park. Interpretive Park Ranger provide educational opportunities for local schools and school age kids.
• Historians and cultural resource specialist
  • The National Lakeshore employs individuals with history knowledge, historic architect, and curatorial specialist. These individuals manage the historic structures, archeologial artifacts and historic collections.
• Biologist and natural resource specialist
  • The National Lakeshore employees a variety of biological science specialist. They work on wetland restoration, endangered species protection, water quality, and a host of other wildlife and plant related programs.
• Administrative specialist
  • Each park unit requires are variety of administrative specialist who manage park funds, manage the personnel system, purchase supplies and materials, as well as maintain the park's information systems.
• Facility Maintenance
  • The National Lakeshore has numerous buildings, roads and trails that need to be kept in usable and safe condition. It is the trades and craft people of the park that manage these operations. Master carpenters, electricians, plumbers, along with unskill laborers and journeymen keep building safe and operable. Heavy equipment operators, tractor operators and unskill youth conservation corp enrollees manage the grounds, roads and trails.

Volunteers
The National Lakeshore provides a variety of programs through individuals who volunteer their time and energy to the park and its visitors. Over the years, the annual report of Volunteer In Parks has shown significant contributions. Volunteer opportunities are list in a nationwide website called America’s Natural and Cultural Resources Volunteer Portal.

2005
This year docents led more than 100 environmental education programs for more than 2,500 students. The Junior Ranger and Advanced Junior Ranger participants worked over 2,300 hours, conducting exotic species removal, native seed collection, habitat restoration, and various cultural resource projects. A great crew of volunteers hosted a well-received public program titled "Gathering at the Calumet." Volunteers also worked approximately 2,000 hours during the Maple Sugar Time and Duneland Harvest festivals. Throughout the summer, volunteers enabled the park to keep several historic buildings open to the public during the Summer Open-House programs.

Artist-in-Residence is a unique volunteer program where a variety of visual artist spend 2–4 weeks in the park. In addition to doing their painting, sculpting, or other art, these volunteers display their works and provide public programs about their art.